The newly renovated Louis Vuitton store at Ala Moana Center made room for its Haute Maroquinerie bespoke handbags for those who want a hand in creating their own signature purse. — David Franzen Photography

Louis Vuitton reopened its expanded Ala Moana Center store with an early morning blessing April 19, before the center opened.

The expansion allowed the arrival of LV's Haute Maroquinerie, with a special salon for afficionados of made-to-order leather goods, one of the few select LV boutiques offering the bespoke service worldwide.

The one-of-a-kind handbag personalization service offers clients the ability to select one of five shapes in two different sizes, with a palette of 26 colors in eight different types of leather, as well as hardware.

Those seeking a personalized 'Haute Maroquinerie' handbag start by selecting one of five designs, available in two sizes, then has a choice of 26 colors and eight different styles of leather.

Then comes hardware selection.

The shapes available are:

>> Noé: Designed by Gaston Louis Vuitton in 1932 to carry champagne bottles.
>> Triangle: Created in 1934 to carry knit works.
>> Lock-it: A 1958 design that owes its name to the expression used when protecting ones’ precious belongings.
>> Milaris: One of two contemporary designs.
>> Neo Steamer: Trapeze-shaped original introduced in 2011.

Louis Vuitton's relationship with Hawaii dates back 32 years, when Ala Moana Center became home to its first freestanding store in Hawaii.

Valérie Chapoulaud-Floquet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Louis Vuitton Americas, noted, “Louis Vuitton has accompanied travelers to Hawaii since early 1880. Hawaii is one of our most vibrant markets with sophisticated global clients who appreciate the value of luxury.”

To commemorate the grand reopening, LV partnered with Hawaiian artist, dancer and cultural expert Sig Zane, to design artwork for the store’s vestibules. The hand-carved ilima design—honoring the history of the area—is accompanied by Zane's original Hawaiian chant, "Ka Lanakila Pio," expressing a love story between Louis Vuitton and Hawaii. The poem is written on kapa that resembles the Louis Vuitton damier pattern, with Hawaiian symbols of spear, pathway, waves and mountains.

In addition to women's leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories and jewelry, the expanded store carries a greater assortment of menwear and accessories.

For the opening, Louis Vuitton also created a limited edition Monogram Idylle pendant necklace, in 18k white gold necklace with sapphire pendant.

From left, Brandy Serikaku, Kuhao Zane and Sig Zane in one of the vestibules bearing the artwork they created in collaboration with Paris artisans.

Saturday's all right for shopping, and is fittingly opening day for Kate Spade Saturday at Ala Moana Center with refreshments from 1 to 4 p.m. April 19 to mark the occasion.

Where Kate Spade is pretty and proper, this sister brand is geared toward KS's younger, tomboy sibling, with dresses, separates and accessories geared toward bringing a carefree weekend vibe to every day of the week, with bright colors, graphic silhouettes and bold prints.

Prices are less that of the original brand, with shorts running about $80, simple tops starting at $85, and dresses are about $140.

The brand launched in Japan in spring 2013, and after it won U.S. fans online at Saturday.com, brick-and-mortar stores popped up in New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and now, arguably the nation's fourth most important fashion city, Honolulu.

The 1,041-square-foot store features apparel, handbags, shoes, tech accessories, fashion accessories, home goods and lifestyle items, with new products to be delivered weekly.
A special feature is a charging station where customers can charge their phones while they shop.

Here's a peek from a press preview earlier today.

The display at the front of the shop showcases weekend ensembles for play or casual daytime soirée.

There's color in beach towels and wood bead bracelets.

Wall displays have a playful, youthful, college dorm vibe.

Bold black and white. Jennifer Sojot, below, tried on the dress in the background.

From left, Kristina Belcourt, Bridgett Relphorde, who made her own cigarette holder from rolled cardboard that she blinged, and Michelle Richardson. — Nadine Kam photos

Feathers, fringe, flappers and lace were in abundance and "Giggle juice" flowed at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort April 12, when the Junior League of Honolulu went back to its Jazz Era roots—founded in 1923—to mark its 90th anniversary with a luncheon/fashion show featuring garments from Tori Richard's Spring 2014 women's collection.

In addition to the fun, glitz and glamour of the 1920s "Great Gatsby"-themed celebration, there was also some serious work going on as the organization pledged to give $90,000 to Oahu nonprofits over the next three years through its 90th Anniversary Community Fund. $45,000 will be awarded this year. The balance of the fund will be distributed over the next two years. Members also recognized past recipients of its annual Laura N. Dowsett Award, and honored JLH's 2014 recipient Cheryl Hetherington.

The award is named after Laura Nott Dowsett, a founding member of JLH and its president from 1933 to 1934. Hetherington, a civic leader and longtime Junior League member, received the award that was created in 1982, to recognize a sustaining member who personifies the spirit of voluntarism, the value of specialized training, the effectiveness of advocacy and the qualities of leadership developed in the JLH.

Hetherington served as JLH president from 2002 to 2003 and has raised money for a number of nonprofits including Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of O‘ahu (25th Anniversary), Honolulu Academy of Art (Kama‘aina Christmas), The Contemporary Museum (ConTempo) and JLH. Before dedicating her skills to community service, Hetherington practiced law as a solo practitioner from 1979 to 1994, taking on many pro bono cases in Family Court. A member of the Hawaii Bar Association, she served for five years with the Hearings Committee of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the State of Hawaii.

In recognition of the group's annual "Sacs in the City" fundraiser, more than 10 high-end handbags were auctioned to help support JLH's community programs.

The event was also highlighted by an informal fashion show featuring the Tori Richard Spring 2014 women's collection.

A photographic display dating from the 1920s to the present, played tribute to the Junior League founders and early members. Today, we tend to have a costumey view of 1920s fashion, but this is more typical summer dress.

Janice Choate-Zavakos looks her 1920s best in white and lace down to her stockings.

I did white lace as well, snapping a selfie outside my house, with Lynn Murray Sien's "Naked Pearl" rope necklace and Whiting & Davis mesh purse. I have at least three 1920s Mandalian mesh-and-enamel purses that I used to use, but today, they're too small to fit such 21st century necessities as phone and car keys. Read the rest of this entry »

Tori Richard celebrated the grand opening of its new Ala Moana store with an April 2 celebration featuring pupu by MW Restaurant's chef Wade Ueoka, and entertainment by Taimane.

The event was also a benefit for the Honolulu Museum of Art outreach programs, with a portion of opening day sales going toward after-school residencies for public school children, and the "Warriors Eyes on Art" program for transitioning soldiers.

The kamaaina company is already well known for its menswear, but is approaching its sixth decade with a refresh of its boutiques to coincide with an increased focus on its rapidly growing women's line.

Key to the new approach was the arrival of designer Jessica Zaro, who worked with Lilly Pulitzer and Shoshanna before joining Tori Richard in 2011 as creative design director for the Tori Richard woman. Her "beach to bar" philosophy encompasses a strong dose of color and print, along with knowledge of how contemporary women want to dress.

"They want clothing that's versatile, that can be worn during the day, then dressed up with heels, a clutch and perfect jewelry at night,"Zaro said. "I like to keep it simple but fashion-forward."

She said she was excited by the opportunity to work for Tori Richard, whose resort aesthetic appealed to her own vision of the glamorous life.

"Living in New York City, I lived for my summers,"Zaro said. "I loved to wear color and a flowy dress that felt so easy and chic at the same time. Everybody strives to have that lifestyle."

There are 8 million visitors who visit the islands annually who seem to suggest so, and I have a feeling the company will be dancing circles around young national upstarts by the time it's 60th birthday arrives in two years.

Among those shopping at the grand opening of the new Tori Richard boutique at Ala Moana Center were, from left, Dave Erdman, Conchita Malaqui, Scott Wheldon and Tao Miller. — Nadine Kam photos

Joanne Marques, left, helps Jon and Dora Valdriz at the Tori Richard shirt bar, that allows men to pull together complete ensembles.

Student art filled display spaces and windows, as little ones showed their printing skills and had their names affixed as brand labels.